On March 18, 2025, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang captivated audiences at the GTC 2025 conference in San Jose by announcing a landmark partnership with Google DeepMind and Disney Research. The event’s highlight was the introduction of “Blue,” a Star Wars-inspired BDX droid, showcasing the fusion of AI, Nvidia’s technology, and Disney’s creative expertise. This collaboration aims to push the boundaries of robotics, leveraging DeepMind’s AI prowess and Disney’s storytelling to create innovative entertainment experiences powered by Nvidia’s cutting-edge platforms.
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AI-powered robotics: Nvidia, DeepMind and Disney collaborate
The partnership introduces Newton, an open-source physics engine that revolutionises robotic simulations. Built on Nvidia’s Warp framework and integrated with DeepMind’s MuJoCo and Nvidia’s Isaac Lab, Newton enhances AI-driven robotic precision for complex tasks. Disney Research will harness this technology to advance its robotic character platform, starting with the Star Wars BDX droids already enchanting visitors at Disneyland’s Galaxy’s Edge. This collaboration underscores how AI, Nvidia, and DeepMind drive the future of robotics.
Star Wars droid “Blue”: Nvidia’s AI meets Disney’s magic
Blue, a playful BDX droid inspired by Star Wars, waddled onto the GTC stage, embodying Nvidia’s AI technology and Disney’s iconic storytelling synergy. Powered by Newton, Blue showcased lifelike movements, highlighting Nvidia’s role in bringing Disney’s Star Wars vision to life. Disney’s Kyle Laughlin, Senior Vice President of Walt Disney Imagineering Research & Development, noted, “The BDX droids are just the beginning of how AI and robotics will transform entertainment.” This Nvidia-Disney collaboration promises more Star Wars-inspired robots across theme parks in 2025.
DeepMind and Nvidia’s Newton engine: Redefining AI robotics
Newton is a game-changer for AI and robotics, offering developers a customisable platform to simulate real-world interactions. Compatible with DeepMind’s MuJoCo-Warp, it accelerates AI training by over 70 times, enabling robots to handle tasks like manipulating deformable objects. Nvidia’s plan to release Newton as an open-source tool in 2025 invites global innovation, blending DeepMind’s AI research with Nvidia’s hardware to push robotics beyond entertainment into industries like healthcare and manufacturing.
Disney’s Star Wars vision enhanced by Nvidia and AI
With this partnership, Disney’s long-standing goal to integrate advanced robotics into its parks leaps forward. The Star Wars BDX droids, previously demoed at events like SXSW 2025, are now poised for widespread deployment, powered by Nvidia’s AI and Newton. This collaboration merges Disney’s Star Wars legacy with cutting-edge AI, creating immersive experiences that captivate guests. Nvidia’s technology ensures these droids move and interact naturally, enhancing Disney’s storytelling.
Nvidia’s broader AI ambitions: Beyond Disney and DeepMind
The partnership extends Nvidia’s AI ecosystem with Isaac GR00T N1, a customisable foundation model for humanoid robots. Combined with Newton, it positions Nvidia to address global labour shortages, which are estimated at 50 million workers. While Disney benefits from Star Wars droids, Nvidia’s AI innovations promise broader applications. Despite a 3.4% stock dip on March 18 amid market concerns, analysts view this AI-Nvidia-DeepMind-Disney alliance as a long-term win for robotics and entertainment.
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The future of AI, Nvidia, DeepMind, Disney, and Star Wars robotics
Nvidia’s unveiling of Blue and the DeepMind-Disney partnership marks a new era for AI-powered robotics. With Newton set to empower developers and Disney rolling out Star Wars droids, this collaboration seamlessly blends technology and creativity. Nvidia’s AI leadership, DeepMind’s research, and Disney’s Star Wars magic are crafting a future where robots like Blue become integral to entertainment and beyond, redefining human-robot interaction in 2025.
